Maximum mouth opening in patients with cleft lip and palate or craniofacial anomalies compared with non-affected controls: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited published data on maximum mouth opening (MMO) for children with cleft lip or palate (CLP) or craniofacial anomalies (CFA). AIM: To report MMO of patients with CLP or CFA compared with non-affected controls. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional review of electronic medical and dental records. Patients with CLP or CFA with recorded MMO, height, and weight were included and compared with a non-affected control individuals seen during orthodontic screening. Outcome measures included MMO, recorded in millimeters of inter-incisal distance, age, height, weight, and sex. RESULTS: Patients with CLP or CFA (n = 376) were matched by age and body mass standardized index (BMIz) to the non-affected pool (n = 376). The affected group had a MMO of 43.14 mm (±7.1 mm) compared with the control group MMO of 48.01 mm (±7.6 mm) with a statistically significant difference of -4.86 mm (p < .0001). Specifically, MMO of the unilateral cleft group is 4.26 mm smaller than that of non-affected controls (p < .0001). MMO of the bilateral cleft group is 3.65 mm smaller than that of non-affected controls (p = 0.0063). CONCLUSIONS: MMO for patients with CLP was significantly smaller as compared to non-affected controls. This study helps establish MMO values for children with CLP and CFA.

Updated consensus guidelines on the management of Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a genetic condition caused by SHANK3 haploinsufficiency and characterized by a wide range of neurodevelopmental and systemic manifestations. The first practice parameters for assessment and monitoring in individuals with PMS were published in 2014; recently, knowledge about PMS has grown significantly based on data from longitudinal phenotyping studies and large-scale genotype-phenotype investigations. The objective of these updated clinical management guidelines was to: (1) reflect the latest in knowledge in PMS and (2) provide guidance for clinicians, researchers, and the general community. A taskforce was established with clinical experts in PMS and representatives from the parent community. Experts joined subgroups based on their areas of specialty, including genetics, neurology, neurodevelopment, gastroenterology, primary care, physiatry, nephrology, endocrinology, cardiology, gynecology, and dentistry. Taskforce members convened regularly between 2021 and 2022 and produced specialty-specific guidelines based on iterative feedback and discussion. Taskforce leaders then established consensus within their respective specialty group and harmonized the guidelines. The knowledge gained over the past decade allows for improved guidelines to assess and monitor individuals with PMS. Since there is limited evidence specific to PMS, intervention mostly follows general guidelines for treating individuals with developmental disorders. Significant evidence has been amassed to guide the management of comorbid neuropsychiatric conditions in PMS, albeit mainly from caregiver report and the experience of clinical experts. These updated consensus guidelines on the management of PMS represent an advance for the field and will improve care in the community. Several areas for future research are also highlighted and will contribute to subsequent updates with more refined and specific recommendations as new knowledge accumulates.

Safety protocols at the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Oral Clinical Examination during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: There are continued concerns about holding large group gatherings with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) made the decision to cancel the Oral Clinical Examination (OCE) in 2020 with a goal to host the exam in 2021. This cancellation postponed the board certification of over 400 pediatric dentists. There is limited published data on safety protocols for in-person examinations. AIM: To determine if safety protocols utilized in the administration of the 2021 ABPD Oral Clinical Examination (OCE) were reassuring to candidates and examiners, and effective at addressing prevention of COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: An electronic survey was emailed to candidates and examiners following completion of the board examination process. The candidate survey had 784 and the examiner survey had 108 eligible participants. Eight questions overlapped between the two surveys. Descriptive statistics were utilized. p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-four candidates (response rate = 50.3%) and 97 examiners (response rate = 89.8%) completed their respective surveys. The majority of candidates (86.8%) and examiners (94.8%) felt safe participating the OCE, and found COVID-19 protocols reassuring, 69.3% and 89.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Participants agreed that safety protocols enacted by the ABPD kept everyone safe and led to a successful and safely conducted high-stakes oral clinical examination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Physician Confidence in Dental Trauma Treatment and the Introduction of a Dental Trauma Decision-Making Pathway for the Pediatric Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to (1) survey and report the awareness and confidence of pediatric emergency medicine physicians in the management of dental trauma and (2) determine the prevalence of dental trauma decision-making pathway utilization in the pediatric emergency department. METHODS: A survey was distributed through e-mail to the pediatric emergency medicine discussion list via Brown University LISTSERV. The survey study included 10 questions and was multiple-choice. The survey contained questions about physician confidence and their use of a dental trauma decision-making pathway. RESULTS: A total of 285 individuals responded to the survey. Somewhat confident was the most common response (61%) followed by not confident (20%) and confident (19%) by respondents in treating dental trauma. Forty-one percent of respondents felt comfortable, 39% somewhat comfortable, 19% not comfortable, and 1% not sure in replanting an avulsed tooth. Only 6% of respondents reported that their pediatric emergency department always or sometimes uses a dental trauma decision-making pathway, whereas 78% of pediatric emergency departments do not. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the adoption of a decision-making pathway will provide timely management, improve emergency physician comfort, and enhance outcomes for pediatric patients presenting with a dental trauma. A future multicenter review will aim to evaluate these goals based on the utilization of our dental trauma decision-making pathway.

A cross-sectional study of physicians on fluoride-related beliefs and practices, and experiences with fluoride-hesitant caregivers.

The goal of this study was to describe medical providers' fluoride-related beliefs and practices, experiences with fluoride-hesitant caregivers, and barriers to incorporating oral health activities into their practice. In this cross-sectional study, we specifically tested the hypothesis of whether these factors differed between pediatric and family medicine providers. A 39-item online survey was administered to a convenience sample of pediatric and family medicine providers in Washington state and Ohio (U.S.A.). Responses to the fluoride survey were compared between pediatric and family medicine providers with a chi-square test (α = 0.05). Of the 354 study participants, 45% were pediatric providers and 55% were family medicine providers. About 61.9% of providers believed fluoridated water was highly effective at preventing tooth decay while only 29.1% believed prescription fluoride supplements were highly effective. Nearly all providers recommend over-the-counter fluoride toothpaste (87.3%), 44.1% apply topical fluoride in clinic, and 30.8% prescribe fluoride supplements. Most providers reported fluoride hesitancy was a small problem or not a problem (82.5%) and the most common concerns patients raise about fluoride were similar to those raised about vaccines. Lack of time was the most commonly reported barrier to incorporating oral health into practice, which was more commonly reported by family medicine providers than pediatric providers (65.6% vs. 50.3%; p = .005). Pediatric and family medicine providers have early and frequent access to children before children visit a dentist. Improving the use of fluorides through children's medical visits could improve pediatric oral health and reduce oral health inequities, especially for vulnerable populations at increased risk for tooth decay.

Program Director Attitudes Toward Acceptance of Pediatric Dentistry Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs).

Purpose: To acquire comments on pediatric dentistry entrustable professional activities (EPAs) from pediatric dentistry residency program directors (PDs). Methods: An electronic survey invited PDs to evaluate 16 previously developed EPAs on whether they were critical to patient safety, resident education, or both. PDs were asked to evaluate a fully developed EPA to assess structure and clarity and describe barriers to EPA. Descriptive statistics were completed. Results: Forty-one of 103 PDs completed the entire survey. Eighty-five percent (36 of 42) of PDs believed EPAs are critical to pediatric dentistry education, and 81 percent (34 of 42) believed EPAs are critical to patient safety. Eighty-one percent of PDs would likely use EPAs when available. Seventy-five percent (31 of 41) of PDs reported that they have had a resident who would have benefited from a longer duration of training. Conclusions: The majority of pediatric dentistry residency program director participants surveyed reported that entrustable professional activities are critical to patient safety and resident education. EPAs may be a valuable option for assessing residents' readiness for graduation.

Brief Communication A Retrospective Evaluation of a Program's Use of Indirect Pulp Therapy for Primary Molars.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess how procedural code trends reflect the adoption of evidence-based best-clinical-practice guidelines in a hospital-based pediatric dental residency program. METHODS: Data on frequency of indirect pulp therapy (IPT) and primary pulpotomy (P) utilization were assessed from 2008 to 2020. RESULTS: The rate of procedural change between IPT and P significantly differed (P<0.001) over 12 years. The total procedural frequency of IPT overcame P around the years 2014 to 2015. CONCLUSIONS: From 2008 to 2020, indirect pulp therapy became the vital pulp therapy of choice in a hospital-based pediatric dental residency program. This trend likely reflects guidelines from major publications on the subject matter and changing philosophies on vital pulp therapy at this hospital-based residency program. Using available data (in this case, procedural codes), dental education programs can identify shifts in care and teaching trends on capstone procedures like vital pulpotomy.

Development of entrustable professional activities for post-doctorate pediatric dentistry education.

PURPOSE: To identify the core components of pediatric dentistry defining entrustable professional activities (EPAs) representing the profession. METHODS: Potential core components of pediatric dentistry and corresponding domains were identified through review of literature and existing pediatric dentistry standards. A modified Delphi technique was utilized to rate these candidate EPAs to achieve consensus around prioritized EPAs. RESULTS: Eleven participants participated in all three rounds of the Delphi. After three rounds, 16 candidate EPAs reached consensus for pediatric dentistry. Each EPA fell into one of four domains: "assessment and planning," "provision of care," "behavior guidance," and "professional development." An original candidate EPA focused on non-pharmacological behavior guidance was deemed too broad by the Delphi. This EPA was subsequently developed into three separate components on nitrous oxide analgesia, moderate sedation, and general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Prioritized EPAs will help define the essential activities of the profession and provide a framework for creating assessments to ensure that graduating pediatric residents are ready for unsupervised practice.

Pediatric Dentistry Program Directors' Resident Assessment Techniques.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine how pediatric dentistry residency program directors evaluate residents and determine graduation readiness. Methods: A questionnaire containing demographic, multiple answer, and yes/no questions was developed by investigators and piloted to former program directors. An updated survey was distributed electronically to program directors in the United States. Subjects were asked to respond to current resident evaluation strategies and future opportunities. Results: Fifty-seven program directors responded to the survey, for a response rate of 55.9 percent. Most relied on daily observation to determine competence and ability to move to more complex procedures. Most were interested in standardized parameters to determine competence but had concerns about cost and time to implement. Most were not aware of entrustable professional activities as a method to evaluate for competence. Conclusion: Program directors rely primarily on daily observation and formal assessments to evaluate residents and determine readiness for graduation.

Observation periods before tooth movement in orthodontic patients who have experienced mild-to-moderate dental trauma: a scoping review of current evidence.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for orthodontic patients that have experienced mild-to-moderate dental trauma recommend an observation period before beginning or resuming tooth movement, but they appear to be based on limited evidence. OBJECTIVES: This scoping review examines available research on recommended observation periods before beginning or resuming tooth movement for orthodontic patients that have experienced mild-to-moderate dental trauma. The extent of research, methodologies used, outcomes reported, and justification for recommended observation periods were reviewed to identify any gaps in current knowledge. DESIGN: Online databases were searched to identify papers published from 1950 to September 2021. Two publications, one from Sweden and one from Israel, reported dental outcomes of tooth movement with versus without observation periods for orthodontic patients that had experienced trauma. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-1) tool. RESULTS: One article was published in 1982, and the other in 1991. Both were observational retrospective cross-sectional studies of orthodontic patients with a history of mild-to-moderate trauma to permanent teeth (uncomplicated crown fracture, concussion, subluxation, luxation), ranging in age from 7 to 16 years. The studies listed a variety of outcomes, including clinical exams, electric pulp testing, and analysis of periapical or panoramic radiographs for signs of root resorption. CONCLUSIONS: The identified articles lack sufficient evidence to determine an appropriate observation period after mild-to-moderate trauma before beginning or resuming orthodontic treatment. High-quality research is needed to better define appropriate observation periods before beginning or continuing orthodontic treatment for mildly to moderately traumatized teeth.

Reducing Pediatric Intraoral Radiography Radiation Dose Using Reduced-Power Dental X-Ray Units: A Randomized Trial.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic confidence of intraoral radiographic image quality while reducing the pediatric patient's radiation exposure using a longer position indicating device (PID), additional X-ray beam filtration and rectangular collimation while using modern, lower-power intraoral dental X-ray units.
Methods: A randomized prospective study scored bitewing intraoral dental images based on relevant clinical features. Observer studies with pediatric dentists and dental residents were conducted to verify whether diagnostic confidence remained unchanged after dose reduction modifications. The study involved a two-phase investigation to determine: (1) the best thickness of aluminum (Al) 2024-T3 alloy filter and (2) required increased exposure time to maintain intraoral radiographic image quality. A 30 cm PID with a rectangular collimator was used to further manage patient dose. For each phase, images from 125 patients were collected from February 2017 to September 2018 and analyzed.
Results: The results from the observer study using a 30 cm PID, 1.02 mm thick Al alloy filter, and a rectangular collimator resulted in a patient dose reduction between 64 percent (exposure time of 400 msec) to 77 percent (250 msec), without any statis- tically significant effect to the diagnostic confidence of the observers in evaluating the reduced radiation images.
Conclusion: Long recognized dose reduction methods, when implemented on a modern, low-power intraoral dental X-ray unit, do not impact confidence in bite- wing diagnostic images, but substantially reduce patient dose and should be adopted to increase patient safety, especially for children.

Caregiver acceptance of an anticipated COVID-19 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: The world is hopeful a vaccine will help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors conducted a hospital-based study using a questionnaire to examine parental acceptance of an anticipated COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: A 41-item questionnaire using the Health Belief Model was administered to caregivers of children receiving oral health care in a dental clinic in an urban pediatric teaching hospital. Demographic, health-seeking, and health-behavior questions were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 39.2% of caregivers would not allow their child to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Whereas 27.8% of caregivers agreed that if their physician recommends a COVID-19 vaccination, they will allow their child to receive it, 52.2% said that a health care professional could influence this decision. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists, intimately aware of the suggested risks of aerosol-generating procedures, can play a critical role in educating the public about the importance of accepting a COVID-19 vaccine. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dentists are in a unique position to discuss and advocate for vaccine acceptance. If a COVID-19 vaccine is not widely accepted, risks associated with performing aerosol-generating procedures will remain.

Integration of a Pilot Oral Health Curriculum into a Medical School Pediatric Rotation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in medical student knowledge, skills, and beliefs in oral health after participating in an oral health curriculum that included an online learning module, shadowing pediatric dental residents, and applying fluoride varnish. Methods: Third-year medical students completed a precurriculum questionnaire. After completing the online module and clinical experience, students completed a postcurriculum questionnaire. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics, and outcomes were assessed. Results: There was an improvement in knowledge and oral health-related skills questions postcurriculum. All questions on beliefs toward oral health showed a more agreeable response following the oral health curriculum. Conclusion: Interprofessional collaboration and oral health curriculum integration lead to positively changing the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of medical students.

Preferential Use of Stainless Steel Crowns as a Strategy to Minimize Retreatment of Primary Molars under General Anesthesia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether primary molars treated with composite resins (CRs) and stainless steel crowns (SSCs) during an oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia (GA1) required retreatment at a second oral rehabilitation under GA (GA2). Methods: Records were examined from 296 healthy patients with more than one dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia from June 2012 to January 2019. Data included treatment details and demographic information. Frequencies and means were recorded. An analysis was completed using logistic regression and chi-square for categorical variables. Results: For primary first molars, 43 percent of CRs placed at GA1 were treated with SSCs at GA2. For primary second molars, 35 percent of CRs placed at GA1 were treated with SSCs at GA2. There was no statistically significant difference in retreatment rates by molar type (P equals 0.27). Eight percent of SSCs placed on any molar at GA1 required retreatment at GA2. Conclusions: Primary molars treated with stainless steel crowns using general anesthesia had the lowest percentage of retreatment compared to those treated with composite resins. Strong consideration should be given to the placement of SSCs on primary molars in patients with early childhood caries under general anesthesia. Placement of primary molar SSCs during initial treatment under general anesthesia may reduce the need for additional treatment in the future.

Prevalence of Primary Teeth Injuries Presenting to a Pediatric Emergency Department.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in the primary dentition that presented to the emergency department (ED) of a level-one trauma center at a children's teaching hospital. Methods: Electronic health records of 1,170 patients with 2,746 traumatic dental injuries who presented to the ED over a 55-month period were reviewed in this retrospective cohort study. A subset of these (541 patients) with multiple injuries in primary teeth were examined. Results: The prevalence of primary tooth injury was 41 percent (1,120 out of 2,746). Most injuries were sustained by males (N equals 311; 57 percent); lateral luxations (N equals 341; 30 percent) were the most common injuries to the primary dentition. The primary maxillary central incisors were the most common teeth to be injured. Concomitant injuries were reported in 50 (4.5 percent) primary teeth. Conclusions: Traumatic dental injuries occurred frequently in the primary dentition, with lateral luxations being reported most often. Over 40 percent of all reported TDIs occurred in the primary dentition. Emergency room providers should be prepared to manage primary tooth TDIs.

Impact of an Alternative Hours Dental Clinic for Adolescents.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to understand familial reasons for attending an alternative hours dental clinic and assess accompanying adult and patient satisfaction with expanded hours. Methods: A questionnaire was developed and administered to patients aged 14 years and older and their accompanying adult while attending either a recare or treatment appointment in the adolescent evening clinic (AEC). Questions included inquiries about demographics, and individual questions were directed to the accompanying adult and patient. Results: Fifty questionnaires from accompanying adults and 55 questionnaires from patients were included in this study. Seventy-six percent and 42 percent of accompanying adults, respectively, said their reason for attending the AEC was not having their child miss school and to avoid missing work. Conclusions: Access to care is improved by providing extended clinic hours, but other barriers to care must also be considered. One hundred percent of accompanying adults would schedule their child again during the adolescent evening clinic hours.

Born Into Addiction: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Pediatric Dentistry.

Drug overdose and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase across the United States. An end-condition related to opioid abuse is neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The implications for pregnant or post-partum women using an opioid, whether prescribed or illicit, can have significant effects on their infant. First described in the 1970s, NAS is defined as a postnatal drug withdrawal syndrome that primarily occurs in opioid-exposed infants. There are no nationally accepted, evidence-based treatment protocols for these infants. Pediatric dentists should be cognizant of potential dental development issues and developmental delays in children with NAS. Basic behavior guidance techniques, such as tell-show-do, may not be as effective. In addition, adherence to prescription drug monitoring programs can help identify patients who may have received multiple opioids, alerting the provider to possible misuse or abuse. The purpose of this paper was to provide background information on the incidences and potential dental implications for children with neonatal abstinence syndrome.